Therapeutic Massage Technician Education Requirements And Courses

Therapeutic massage technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, therapeutic massage technicians don't need a college education. The most common degree for therapeutic massage technicians is bachelor's degree with 36% graduates, with only 15% therapeutic massage technician graduates earning high school diploma. Therapeutic massage technicians who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Colorado at Boulder or Montclair State University. Some good skills to have in this position include patient care, autism and physical therapy.

Popular therapeutic massage technician certifications include Massage Therapy Certification (MT), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), or National Certification for Therapeutic Massage (NCTM). To improve therapeutic massage technician qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in therapeutic massage technician education paths.

What education do you need to become a therapeutic massage technician?

What degree do you need to be a therapeutic massage technician?

The most common degree for therapeutic massage technicians is bachelor's degree, with 36% of therapeutic massage technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 15% and high school diploma degree at 14%.

Bachelor's, 36%

High School Diploma, 15%

Associate, 14%

Diploma, 14%

Other Degrees, 21%

What should I major in to become a therapeutic massage technician?

You should major in somatic bodywork to become a therapeutic massage technician. 17% of therapeutic massage technicians major in somatic bodywork. Other common majors for a therapeutic massage technician include psychology and nursing.

Somatic Bodywork, 17%

Psychology, 10%

Nursing, 9%

Business, 7%

Other Majors, 57%

Best majors for therapeutic massage technicians

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Somatic Bodywork	17.2%
2	Psychology	10.3%
3	Nursing	8.6%
4	Business	6.9%
5	Education	6.9%

Show more common therapeutic massage technician majors

20 best online courses for therapeutic massage technicians

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1. Deep Tissue Massage: Neuromuscular Therapy Certificate

4.4

(282)

Neuromuscular Therapy is a highly effective form of Deep Tissue Massage for pain relief (2 CEUs)...

2. Deep Tissue Massage: Trigger Point Therapy Certificate

4.7

(254)

Deep Tissue Trigger Point Massage Therapy is a proven approach for the relief of soft-tissue pain and dysfunction (2CEU)...

3. Massage Therapy

4.6

(1,208)

Massage Therapy Course 101...

4. Deep Tissue Massage Certificate Course (5 CEU's)

4.7

(5,156)

Master Deep Tissue Massage and Other Advanced Massage Techniques from This Bestselling Deep Tissue Massage Course...

5. Deep Tissue Massage: Myofascial Release Certificate Course

4.7

(577)

This course will change how you think of Deep Tissue Massage using a whole body Myofascial approach (2 CEUs)...

6. Ashiatsu or Shiatsu Barefoot Sports Massage Therapy

4.5

(252)

Let your feet do the work for you!...

7. IASTM Deep Tissue Massage Certificate Course

4.5

(426)

Learn instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), a popular Myofascial Massage treatment (2 CEUs)...

8. Sports Massage: Positional Release Certificate Course

4.6

(355)

Learn Sports Massage Positional Release Techniques to produce profound pain relief and improve bodily function (2 CEUs)...

9. Bowen Therapy NO MASSAGE Healing Certificate Course (8CEU)

4.7

(863)

An incredible NO MASSAGE remedial therapy for massage therapists or anyone else that wants to learn how to heal people...

10. Professional Cupping Therapy Massage Certificate Course 4 CE

4.7

(2,559)

Learn Cupping Therapy Massage Today to Treat Your Own Pains, Your Friends, Family Or Massage Clients Effortlessly!...

11. Sports Massage: The Technique Masterclass

4.8

(605)

Learn the most effective sports massage techniques for the entire body (2 CEUs)...

12. Cupping Massage Mastery

4.6

(834)

Master Silicone Cupping in 2023 and Become the Go-To Therapist for Chronic Pain and Athletic Recovery...

13. Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage Certificate Course (6CEU)

4.7

(4,438)

Manual lymphatic drainage massage will change your massage practice. Learn how to do this powerful massage technique...

14. Sports Massage: Muscle Energy Technique Certificate Course

4.7

(436)

Grow your practice by learning sports massage the power of muscle energy techniques (2 CEUs)...

15. Acupressure and Meridian Massage Techniques

(679)

Enhance your treatments with simple acupressure and meridian massage...

16. Acupressure Massage For Health Certificate Course

(606)

Learn how to use acupressure massage to become healthier by treating your own health conditions naturally!...

17. Massage Course, Myofascial Energetic Release, Deep Bodywork

4.5

(286)

This massage training teach how to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to give great massage to your clients...

18. Learn Thai Yoga Massage

4.3

(298)

Learn everything you need to know to give Thai Yoga massage even if you've never given a massage before...

19. Professional Cupping Therapy & Massage

4.8

(1,800)

Professional and comprehensive course of cupping techniques and applications...

20. Colombian Wood Therapy Course - Maderoterapia

4.3

(278)

Learn how to use Colombian Wood Therapy to help your clients reduce cellulite and melt fat...

Average therapeutic massage technician salary by education level

According to our data, therapeutic massage technicians with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $51,520 annually. Therapeutic massage technicians with a High School Diploma degree earn an average annual salary of $47,977.

Therapeutic massage technician education level	Therapeutic massage technician salary
High School Diploma or Less	$47,977
Bachelor's Degree	$51,520
Some College/ Associate Degree	$47,933